Bekah Nalker

Major: Event Management

Class: Senior

Timeframe: Spring Break 2025

Type of Experience: Study Abroad

Experience Website: https://isuabroad.iastate.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=11968

Program: Introduction to the Bahamas

Destination: Bahamas

Overall Experience

It was such an amazing opportunity to see how the hospitality and events industry is run overseas. We were able to experience and tour so many amazing venues and network. In between the education we also had so much time to explore on our own and make new memories.

Learning experience

One of the most valuable learning experiences I encountered was the fact that there can be many events happening and you have to decide where to put each event. If one is louder than the other, you do not want that event to overpower the others. So I learned that spacing and placing event groups accordingly is important.

Memorable experience

One of the best memories I had was touring the Versailles Gardens at the Ocean Club. It was a little slice of France right in the Bahamas. It was like something from a fairytale and I loved to walk around and feel like absolute royalty.

What did you not expect?

Something I did not expect was how amazing the hospitality is there. We went on a tour of Graycliff and they added on the chocolate tour and the cigar tour free for our group. We also had transportation arranged for us from one resort to the other after touring. Moving forward I hope to greet people with the same hospitality and kindness that was shown to me.

What advice would you give?

DO IT! You will not regret it. But remember you are there to learn and the fun comes later.

How has this experience impacted your life?

This experience has impacted my life by giving me connections to professionals that I would not have had had I not gone on this trip. I was able to network and get contact information to many amazing resorts and hotels along this trip. It also taught me the importance of getting to know new people from all areas of life. We met the most amazing people who didn't necessarily have it all but they had a passion for what they where doing.

How did you learn about this experience?

I first learned about this opportunity through our department and other students who had gone through the program.

International Connections